Discover Bánh Xèo, Can Tho’s crispy Vietnamese pancake, with our guide to its recipe, best eateries, costs, and eco-friendly food tours. Book with Legend Travel Group for a sustainable Mekong Delta culinary adventure!
Capture the crispy essence of Can Tho’s culinary gem (Source: Internet)Can Tho City, the vibrant culinary capital of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is renowned for its diverse street food scene, and Bánh Xèo, the crispy Vietnamese pancake, is a must-try delicacy that captures the region’s bold flavors. Following the merger of Soc Trang and Hau Giang, Can Tho has become Vietnam’s largest city by landmass, drawing millions to its bustling floating markets, lush orchards, and rich food culture. Known as “Tây Đô” or the “Western Capital,” Can Tho elevates Bánh Xèo with fresh, local ingredients and traditional techniques, making it a cultural icon. Aligned with Can Tho’s “Green Delta” sustainability initiatives, savoring Bánh Xèo through eco-friendly food tours offers an authentic taste of the Delta’s heritage. Legend Travel Group’s sustainable culinary tours let you indulge in this savory treat while exploring Can Tho’s vibrant markets—book your tour via the links throughout this guide!
Legend Travel Group, a premier local tour operator, specializes in sustainable Southeast Asia adventures. Our Can Tho food tours use low-impact transport—bicycles, electric boats, and eco-taxis—guided by local experts who share the Delta’s culinary traditions. Supporting vendors in Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang Wards, we align with Can Tho’s eco-vision. With transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure, and 24/7 support, we ensure a seamless experience. Contact us at sales@legendtravelgroup.com or WhatsApp +84825862222 to book eco-tours and savor Can Tho responsibly!
Vietnam’s administrative restructuring has merged Soc Trang and Hau Giang into Can Tho City, with Ninh Kieu as the central hub. District-level units are now wards or communes, enhancing access to culinary hotspots like Cai Rang Floating Market and Tran Phu Night Market. Supported by sustainable infrastructure—cycling paths, electric ferries, and a VND800 billion flood mitigation project—Can Tho offers seamless exploration of its food scene.
Photograph the vibrant allure of Can Tho’s food scene (Source: Internet)Bánh Xèo, meaning “sizzling cake” in Vietnamese, is a crispy, golden pancake named for the “xèo” sound it makes when batter hits a hot skillet. A Southern Vietnamese staple, particularly iconic in Can Tho, this savory dish is made from a rice flour batter infused with turmeric and coconut milk, filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and mung beans, and served with fresh herbs and a tangy fish sauce dip (nước chấm). Its vibrant yellow hue, crispy texture, and harmonious flavors reflect the Delta’s agricultural abundance and culinary artistry. In Can Tho, Bánh Xèo is a communal dish, often wrapped in mustard greens or rice paper, embodying the region’s warm, shared dining culture.
Key Ingredients:
Batter: Rice flour, turmeric powder, coconut milk, water, chopped scallions.
Filling: Shrimp, pork belly, bean sprouts, mung beans.
Accompaniments: Mustard greens, lettuce, mint, Thai basil, nước chấm (fish sauce with lime, chili, garlic, sugar).
Cultural Significance: A symbol of Southern Vietnam’s resourcefulness and communal dining.
Why It’s Special: The contrast of crispy pancake, tender fillings, and fresh herbs, paired with the tangy dip, creates a flavor explosion unique to the Delta.
Tip: Wrap Bánh Xèo in mustard greens for an authentic bite, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Experience Can Tho Tours with sustainable dining (Source: Internet)Bánh Xèo in Can Tho stands out for its use of fresh, local ingredients sourced from the Delta’s fertile lands and waterways, such as plump shrimp and vibrant herbs. The city’s culinary expertise ensures a perfect balance of crispy batter and flavorful fillings, often prepared in open-air kitchens where the sizzling sound adds to the experience. As a cultural touchstone, Bánh Xèo reflects Can Tho’s agrarian roots and communal spirit, making it a must-try for food lovers. Its affordability and availability at markets, street stalls, and restaurants make it accessible, while eco-friendly food tours enhance the sustainable dining experience, aligning with Can Tho’s green initiatives.
Why It Stands Out:
Fresh, local ingredients elevate flavor and quality.
Authentic preparation techniques preserve Delta traditions.
Affordable, communal dish perfect for cultural immersion.
Tip: Try Bánh Xèo at a riverside eatery for a scenic meal, included in our Can Tho City Explorer Tour ($45–$65).
Crafting an authentic Can Tho-style Bánh Xèo requires fresh ingredients and precise technique. Here’s a detailed recipe for a single serving:
Prepare the Batter: Mix 1 cup rice flour, 1 tsp turmeric powder, ½ cup coconut milk, ¾ cup water, 1 tsp chopped scallions, and a pinch of salt ($1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND total). Let rest for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling: Clean 100g shrimp and slice 100g pork belly ($1.50 or 37,500 VND). Rinse ½ cup bean sprouts and soak ¼ cup mung beans for 4 hours, then steam ($0.50 or 12,500 VND).
Make the Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm): Combine 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp water, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp chili ($0.50 or 12,500 VND).
Cook the Pancake: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Sauté shrimp and pork until cooked (2–3 minutes). Remove and set aside. Add another tbsp oil, pour ½ cup batter, and swirl to coat the pan thinly.
Add Fillings: Place shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and mung beans on one half. Cover and cook for 2 minutes until crispy. Fold in half, cook 1 more minute, then transfer to a plate.
Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs (lettuce, mustard greens, mint, Thai basil; $0.50 or 12,500 VND) and serve with nước chấm.
Tip: Join a cooking class to master the technique, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Total Cost for Homemade (4–6 servings): $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND) for ingredients.
Start your Can Tho Travel with fresh Delta vibes (Source: Internet)Can Tho’s culinary scene offers numerous spots to enjoy authentic Bánh Xèo, from bustling markets to cozy eateries. Here are the top places:
Experience Bánh Xèo prepared fresh on floating stalls, served with river views amidst the market’s lively trade.
Location: Cai Rang Ward, 6 km from Ninh Kieu Wharf.
Cost: $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND) per pancake.
Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 AM, peak 5:30–7:30 AM.
Tip: Arrive early for the freshest pancakes, included in our Mekong Sunrise Tour ($55–$75).
This riverside market features stalls serving crispy Bánh Xèo with generous herb platters, perfect for an evening feast.
Location: Ninh Kieu Wharf, Ninh Kieu Ward.
Cost: $1–$1.50 (25,000–37,500 VND) per pancake.
Hours: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM daily.
Tip: Pair with sugarcane juice ($0.50–$1), included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
A bustling market where vendors whip up Bánh Xèo with fresh Delta shrimp, offering a lively dining atmosphere.
Location: Tran Phu Street, Cai Khe Ward, 1 km from Ninh Kieu Wharf.
Cost: $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND) per pancake.
Hours: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM daily.
Tip: Enjoy with a cold coconut ($0.50–$1), included in our Can Tho City Explorer Tour ($45–$65).
Eateries like Quán Bánh Xèo 7 Tới specialize in Bánh Xèo with oversized pancakes and abundant fillings, served in a foodie haven.
Location: Đề Thám Street, Cai Rang Ward.
Cost: $1.50–$3 (37,500–75,000 VND) per pancake.
Hours: 4:00 PM–10:00 PM daily.
Tip: Try with extra herbs, included in our Can Tho Heritage Tour ($50–$70).
Eco-gardens like Lê Lộc Ecotourism Area serve Bánh Xèo as part of farm-to-table meals, offering a sustainable dining experience in lush surroundings.
Location: Phong Dien Ward, 15 km from Ninh Kieu Wharf.
Cost: $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND) per pancake; entry $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).
Hours: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM.
Tip: Combine with a garden tour, included in our Tra Su Eco-Tour ($60–$80).
Tip: Choose vendors with high turnover for the freshest Bánh Xèo, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND); carry small notes (50,000–500,000 VND) for street vendors.
Dining Costs: Bánh Xèo $1–$4 (25,000–100,000 VND); other street food $1–$4 (25,000–100,000 VND).
Tipping: Optional; $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND) for guides or exceptional service.
Hygiene: Choose busy stalls for fresh food; drink bottled water ($0.50 or 12,500 VND) and carry hand sanitizer.
Language: Say “ngon” (delicious) or “cảm ơn” (thank you) to connect with vendors; English-speaking guides assist on tours.
Bicycle Rental: $1–$3/day (25,000–75,000 VND) for market visits.
Motorbike Rental: $5–$10/day (125,000–250,000 VND) for rural eateries.
Taxi/Grab: $3–$8 (75,000–200,000 VND) within 1–15 km.
Electric Boat: $10–$20/hour (250,000–500,000 VND) for Cai Rang dining.
Tip: Use eco-friendly bikes or boats via Xanh SM app, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
The dry season (January–May) offers pleasant weather (25–36°C or 77–96.8°F), ideal for market visits and outdoor dining. The rainy season (June–December) brings cooler temperatures (22–32°C or 71.6–89.6°F) and abundant produce, enhancing Bánh Xèo’s freshness with seasonal herbs and shrimp. Bánh Xèo is typically served in the afternoon and evening (4:00 PM–10:00 PM), making it a perfect snack or meal during market strolls. The Cai Rang Floating Market Festival (April) adds vibrant culinary events, boosting the foodie experience.
Peak Season (January–May): Book tours early for festivals.
Shoulder Season (March–April, November): Mild weather, fewer crowds.
Tip: Visit markets in the evening for the freshest Bánh Xèo; check AccuWeather for rainy season updates.
Book Tours Early: Reserve eco-tours via Legend Travel Group (sales@legendtravelgroup.com, WhatsApp +84825862222) 2–3 weeks in advance, especially for January–May.
Allergies: Inform vendors of shellfish or pork allergies; vegetarian Bánh Xèo is available at some stalls.
Sustainability: Support stalls using local, eco-friendly ingredients to align with Can Tho’s green goals; avoid plastic waste with reusable utensils.
Navigation: Download offline maps (Maps.me) for markets and eateries in Ninh Kieu, Cai Rang, or Phong Dien Wards.
Safety: Secure valuables at markets; choose busy vendors for hygiene.
Cultural Respect: Share Bánh Xèo communally; use hands or chopsticks for wrapping in herbs.
Health: Carry mosquito repellent for evening markets; stay hydrated with bottled water ($0.50 or 12,500 VND).
Our sustainable tours let you savor Bánh Xèo and Can Tho’s culinary treasures:
Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85/person): Cai Rang Floating Market, Ninh Kieu Night Market, Bánh Xèo tasting, cooking class. Includes eco-transfers, meals, and guide.
Mekong Sunrise Tour ($55–$75/person): Cai Rang Floating Market breakfast with Bánh Xèo, canal cruise. Includes electric boat and guide.
Can Tho City Explorer ($45–$65/person): Tran Phu Night Market, Đề Thám Street, local stalls with Bánh Xèo. Includes bike rentals and snacks.
Tra Su Eco-Tour ($60–$80/person): Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, Phong Dien eco-gardens with Bánh Xèo. Includes boat rides and eco-transfers.
Mekong Delta Immersion ($250–$400/person, 2–3 days): Floating markets, homestays ($10–$25/night), food tours with Bánh Xèo. Includes transfers, meals, and activities.
Prices include English-speaking guides, eco-transfers, and entrance fees. Enjoy 10% off for groups of 8+ or seasonal promotions. Book now via links around this page!
Bánh Xèo, a culinary gem of Can Tho City, offers a crispy, flavorful taste of the Mekong Delta’s vibrant food culture. From sizzling pancakes at Cai Rang Floating Market to cozy meals on Đề Thám Street, this dish captivates with its fresh ingredients and communal charm. Legend Travel Group’s Can Tho Tours pair Bánh Xèo with Can Tho’s markets, orchards, and heritage sites, ensuring a sustainable Can Tho Travel experience filled with meaningful exploration. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your Can Tho culinary adventure today!
Ready to savor Can Tho’s iconic pancake? Reserve your eco-tour with Legend Travel Group and dive into the flavors of Bánh Xèo in the Mekong Delta!
Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, personally guiding and organizing tours for over 100,000 travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.
By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group – Copyright protected content.
Favorite experiences booked by travelers
